There's Hope For The Lost Generation

The parking lot at the library was much like the Christmas season
mayhem at the mall.

The desperate search for power after Sandy kicked us in the
teeth.

The lot was a battle for real estate, the library itself teeming
with people.

This of course, was enough to bring out my inner curmudgeon.

What were all these kids doing here? Hey you kids, get off
my lawn!

As I found a space, plugged in my gadgets and started to work, I
took a moment to look around. Most of my fellow library nomads
were between fifteen and twenty-five years of age.

As I relished the silence of the room I observed something that
was worth noting.

These “kids” were here to work. Sure, some were playing games on
their laptops or futzing around on Facebook,
but most were working. There was no school that week, no
assignments due tomorrow.

I suddenly had a Grinch That Stole Christmas moment. The kids
were the Who’s in Whoville holding hands around the tree singing.
The melody was the clicking of keyboards. They are the do it
yourself (DIY) generation.

Many years ago when I bought my first iPod, I
was incredulous when I had to download the newest software when I
plugged in the device. Why did I have to update their product
when I just purchased it a half an hour ago? Now I see that was
the beginning of the DIY generation.

Younger people have been raised to do these things by themselves.
Need a restaurant? Find the hottest one online. Where was
Teddy Roosevelt born? Don’t ask me, look it up. I know that all
of this data was available when I was their age. It was in the
library that I was sitting in that day.

This isn’t about data or its availability. It’s about an
attitude. This generation is expected to find things out for
themselves. A lot of it has been thrust upon them, but this is
where they are. They find a way.

Much has been written about the perils of the online world. No
one talks anymore. These kids have their heads buried in their
devices. I have teenagers myself, and I’ve driven as the girls
texted each other while sitting side by side rather than talking.

That this generation is different there is no doubt. However,
different isn’t always bad. They know how to work. Most know by
now that there isn’t the lifelong corporate job waiting for them.
No watch at the retirement party after thirty years of service.
They know those days are over. If they want to find a path, they
will have to chop some brush to clear it. There is an
entrepreneurial spirit about them. A spirit I admire.

Where will all of this lead? This generation will be running
things soon. Many of them are now. What kind of country will we
have?

As I look at the current state of our country, with what we did
with it. I believe that things will be different in their hands,
they will be better.

My heart didn’t grow three times that day sitting in the silence
of the library, but I did feel something I haven’t felt in a long
cold powerless week. I felt optimism.

John Nuckel is a financial advisor and writer.
His novel The Vig is available on amazon.com and kindle.